Last week at the London Stock Exchange, OTA Media convened senior leaders from government, finance, technology and global business for The Next Agenda, hosted in partnership with HM Treasury, London Stock Exchange Group and HaysMac.

The evening brought together representatives from the Bank of England, Bloomberg, Google, BlackRock, Deloitte, BBC, Thomson Reuters, the City of London and Huawei, alongside Afua Kyei, CFO of the Bank of England, and Anaïse Manuel, Ambassador of Haiti.

Also in attendance were Michael Eboda, Ezechi Britton MBE, Emma Jones CBE and Gavin Lewis, whose recent interviews on Off The Agenda helped shape the themes and direction of the evening. The panel featured contributions from Catherine Sneath, Jennifer Thomas and Rob Pierre, with the discussion expertly moderated by Horatio Georgestone, each offering thoughtful and inspiring perspectives.

The focus was clear: what Britain needs to lead in its next phase of economic growth and why leadership, inclusion and long-term confidence now sit at the heart of competitiveness.

Read our welcome story now:

‍LSEG

Leadership, Inclusion and Britain’s Competitive Edge

At the centre of the Market Close conversation, Sir Kenneth Olisa and Sir Charles Bowman explored how leadership must evolve in a changing economic landscape.

Sir Kenneth emphasised that diversity and inclusion are not simply moral imperatives, but sources of competitive advantage. Organisations that reflect the societies and markets they serve make better decisions and outperform over time.

Both speakers highlighted a generational shift. Younger leaders increasingly expect fairness, purpose and transparency from institutions, and are less willing to accept closed systems or inherited barriers. While challenges remain, opportunity is expanding for those prepared to claim it.

The conversation also addressed Britain’s often-overlooked strengths: the rule of law, trusted institutions and world-class market infrastructure. These foundations, they argued, remain critical assets in a global environment shaped by uncertainty.

The discussion closed with a call for leadership rooted in optimism, stewardship and confidence — opening doors, building trust and helping the next generation see what is possible.

Watch the full conversation now:

Sir Kenneth Olisa & Sir Charles Bowman

Introducing OTA Media Sessions

Culture, Conversation and Connection

Coming soon OTA Media will launch the first Sessions of 2026 — an invite-only evening for members of The Circle and guests connected to our recent Market Close.

Hosted at MBER, Sessions blends live music, curated dining and off-record conversation for senior leaders in the City. The evening will feature a live performance by Jordan Thomas, filmed as part of a special OTA Media music session.

Sessions is designed as a cultural extension of our leadership platform, where ideas, creativity and long-term relationships meet.

Invitations will follow shortly - More acts to be announced!

DEI Drives Consumer and Investor Decisions in the UK

New research from OTA Media reveals that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remain a top priority for UK consumers, especially younger audiences and Londoners.

Key findings from a survey of 5,010 UK adults:

• 60% of UK consumers consider a company’s DEI commitments when buying products; rises to 81% among under-25s and Londoners.
• 73% of younger consumers would stop buying from brands that fail on DEI.
• 57% support mandatory DEI reporting for public companies.
• 48% prefer to work for companies committed to DEI—rising to 71% in London.
• 46% of under-35s are more likely to trust AI from companies with strong DEI practices.

Edwin Danso, CEO of OTA Media:
“Companies that retreat from DEI risk losing the trust of the very audiences they need most. Those that stay the course will innovate, attract talent, and build stronger relationships.”

Sir Kenneth Olisa:
“Transparency on inclusion builds trust—and trust drives performance.”

This research reinforces OTA Media’s mission to amplify diverse voices, drive meaningful dialogue, and shape the future of leadership.

Is Thursday the New Friday in the City?

A quiet shift is reshaping how leaders connect in the City.

Increasingly, the most effective dinners, panels and cultural events are happening on Thursday evenings. People are in town, calendars are intact, and conversations feel more intentional.

Friday, by contrast, has become fragmented. Hybrid working, travel and shifting priorities mean attendance, and energy are less predictable.

For senior leaders, the question is practical:

• Do you prefer travelling into the City on Fridays?
• Does alcohol at Friday events blur work and weekend boundaries?
• And does Friday socialising affect productivity the next day?

As OTA Media designs future Sessions and Circle formats, this question matters. Not just for attendance, but for the quality of conversation.

Pubs, Music Venues and the Cost of Culture

HM Treasury’s decision to offer temporary business rates relief to pubs and some grassroots music venues will be welcomed across the hospitality and creative economy.

But the move also highlights a wider issue: culture is being supported reactively, not strategically.

Restaurants, cafés and recording studios remain excluded, despite facing similar pressures. Yet these spaces form the backbone of Britain’s creative infrastructure — where talent is developed, communities gather and ideas are exchanged.

If the UK wants a globally competitive creative economy, support must move beyond short-term relief. Culture requires predictable policy, long-term thinking and leadership that understands its economic value.

Relief is welcome. Strategy is overdue.

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